#Trending: this is what Arabs said about #Baltimore riots

Blog: What are Arabs talking about on social media? Visit us on Twitter @alaraby_en or comment at facebook.com/AlAraby.en
2 min read
28 Apr, 2015
Social media users in the Middle East condemned what they saw as double standards [AFP]
Arabs have been widely engaged on social media about the Baltimore riots. Many supported the protests and called for democracy.

Others, from countries as Egypt and Bahrain, criticised and ridiculed Barack Obama and his government’s “double standards” when it comes to the US stance towards human rights issues in their countries. 

Translation: Where are these human rights you always speak of? Where is the equality between white people and black people?

Citizens of these countries have had riots and confrontations with the police in the past, during and after the Arab Spring, where Obama often called for “self-control”. This statement was repeated by many in light of the current events in Baltimore.

Translation: Bahrain must issue a statement directed to the US government asking them to practice self-control, and be nice to the “peaceful” protesters in Baltimore.

Translation: Pray everyone will practice self-control and sit down and discuss. We demand that America respects the rights of minorities. And we call on Amnesty International to…. laugh.

Translation: Good let Obama leave us alone for a bit. Every now and then he sticks his nose in on Gulf affairs, carrying barrels of oil, and giving us speeches about terrorism. 

Some compared the current US curfew to Egypt's Sinai curfew from 10pm to 5am.

Yet the overwhelming majority of Arabs showed their support to the family of Freddie Gray and those protesting for equal rights.

Translation: We support the free people of America in standing tall against police brutality.

Translation: Governments must understand that they exists to serve their people and not to kill them. The American government is not exempt.

Finally, we leave you with a message of a sign raised at the protests, according to the person who shared it. Tell us what you think


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